LETTER SECURITY

An unregistered stock or bond that is sold directly to an investor by the issuer. The security is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and cannot be sold to the public in the marketplace. The term derived from the SEC requirement for an "investment letter" for the purchaser, which explains it is for long-term investment purposes and not intended for resale, for a specified number of years.

Also called restricted security, letter stock or letter bond.